as T20 World Cup 2026 February 7 is approaching the launch date, the former Indian cricketer Muhammad Kaif The ideal Indian player sparked the selection debate by revealing the 11. Speaking on his YouTube channel on January 27, 2026, Kaif suggested a bold plan for the defending champions, favoring batting depth and spin variety for the subcontinental conditions. India and Sri Lanka.
Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan? Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner for T20 World Cup 2026
The focus of Kaif’s analysis was the battle for the opening slot along with the explosive Abhishek Sharma. Despite recent struggles, Kaif has been supportive Sanju Samson Although he warned that the upcoming matches against New Zealand was the final ultimatum to open the batting. Speaking on her YouTube channel, Kaif explained: “If Sanju doesn’t score in the next two games, then Ishan will step up and Tilak will come in at three. He is a proven player and you want him back. But he will come straight into the World Cup without any training. We have to see how he will be tested. Either Sanju or Ishan will play. There is competition there. Now, who will play Sanju’s next two innings will decide.”
India playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026: Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh
In a move that surprised many, Kaif made the choice Harshit Rana on experienced Arshdeep Singh to be a partner jasprit bumrahciting the need for a long stroke tail. He noted: “Harshit Rana will play at eight. Arshdeep may not be there. We have seen when Arshdeep plays, Bumrah doesn’t play. So Arshdeep will sit out. The three pacers will be Hardik, Rana and Bumrah. Rana is ahead in the XI as he can bat at eight.”
Moreover, he placed Kaif in the middle class fight Shivam Dubey ahead of the fan favorite finisher Rinku Singhexpressing: “Dube was part of the 2024 winning team. He has been playing since then and is still bowling. If you have to choose between him and Rinku, I feel he is ahead.” He concluded that having match winners like Rinku on the bench “good headache” For the leadership of the Indian team.
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Mohammad Kaif has predicted India XI for T20 World Cup 2026
Kaif’s latest pick highlights the balance of three pacers (including Hardik Pandya) and a strong three-pronged spin attack to take advantage of the home conditions:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Goalkeeper)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Shivam Dubey
- Akhar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Harshit Rana
- jasprit bumrah
- Varun Chakraborty
- Kuldeep Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav and India’s current form under the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule
The ‘Men in Blue’ will enter the World Cup in devastating form and are currently leading the T20I series at home. New Zealand 3-0. After this series, India will start their World Cup campaign in Group A USA On February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium. This will be followed by a match against Namibia On February 12 in Delhi and fighting against high voltage Pakistan in Colombo on February 15. They will conclude the group stage against them The Netherlands On February 18 in Ahmedabad, they will look to defend their crown and win the T20 World Cup for the first time in history for three times.
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 with no place for Arshdeep Singh.){kind=link}